No Energy Ceasefire With Russia, but Oleshky Truce Brings Hope, Zelensky Says

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday, Oct. 28, that a proposed energy ceasefire with Russia had failed because Moscow continued striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure, but welcomed initial progress under a separate US-brokered humanitarian truce in Russian-occupied Oleshky. Speaking at a joint press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten in The Hague, Zelensky said Ukraine had supported US President Donald Trump’s proposal for a halt to attacks on energy facilities, but Russia had not reciprocated.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “The energy ceasefire doesn’t work,” Zelensky said. “President Trump proposed it in the media. We supported this also in the media. And Russia didn’t,” he said. According to Zelensky, Russian forces launched a massive attack on Ukrainian energy facilities the day after Trump’s proposal, prompting Ukrainian retaliation. “So now, when they attack our energy, we respond on energy,” he said, making clear that no mutual energy ceasefire was currently in place. His comments come as Washington seeks to advance negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, including limited ceasefire arrangements intended to build momentum toward a broader peace agreement. Zelensky drew a distinction between the failed energy ceasefire and a separate US-mediated humanitarian arrangement in Russian-occupied Oleshky, in the southern Kherson region. Other Topics of Interest Russian Missile Strikes Chernihiv Animal Clinic, Wounds 3 Women, Kills Dog One dog was killed, while three women and four animals were wounded at the municipal veterinary center, prompting the police to open a war crimes case. The local ceasefire, which took effect on Oct. 27, is intended to facilitate humanitarian operations, including the evacuation of civilians from the occupied area. The Ukrainian president welcomed the reported reduction in major attacks, saying even a brief pause in hostilities could bring much-needed relief to civilians. “We’re happy even when we have two, three days for these people, you know, some ceasefire is great,” he said, noting that residents could once again be seen on the streets. He thanked Washington for facilitating the arrangement, stressing that the humanitarian mission’s ultimate success would depend on the safe evacuation of civilians. “This is really their [the US] initiative,” he said. “We will see how it ends. Hopefully, well.” Abu Dhabi peace talks expected in early November Zelensky also said Ukraine was preparing for another round of trilateral negotiations with the US and Russia, expected to take place in Abu Dhabi between Nov. 6 and 10. The meeting would bring together technical-level negotiating teams to discuss practical steps toward ending the war and prepare for possible talks between national leaders. Zelensky said Kyiv had originally expected another meeting in Brussels, but Washington had postponed it. “We are waiting for Americans,” he said, adding that he expected greater clarity following the US midterm elections. The proposed agenda includes ceasefire arrangements, energy infrastructure, maritime security, prisoner exchanges, the release of Ukrainian civilians detained in Russia and the return of Ukrainian children. “We need to move this war to the end, not just to continue,” Zelensky said. He expressed hope that one or two technical meetings could create the conditions for negotiations at a higher political level. Asked when he might meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelensky said no date had been agreed and that progress depended on Moscow. “I don’t know when we will have a meeting with Russia on the level of leaders,” he said. He emphasized that the most sensitive issues, particularly territorial disputes and security guarantees, must be addressed directly by national leaders. “We are ready also to discuss territories, but on the level of leaders,” he said. “Nobody can negotiate about Ukraine without us.” Zelensky insists Europe must have a role in peace talks Zelensky said Ukraine would proceed with the planned trilateral negotiations even if European representatives were excluded from the initial meeting, but insisted that Europe must help shape any final settlement. He said Washington had become more supportive of European involvement, while Moscow continued to oppose it. “What is great now is that nobody is against. And what is good, I think, is that America is very supportive,” Zelensky said. He noted that previous negotiating rounds had included separate consultations with European national security advisers and representatives of NATO and the EU, suggesting similar arrangements could be made during the upcoming Abu Dhabi talks. “If we speak about security guarantees for Ukraine, for me, it can’t be without Europe,” he said. Zelensky also questioned how Russia and the US could negotiate Europe’s future security arrangements without European participation. “How can you negotiate security infrastructure in Europe without Europe?” he asked. “What will you negotiate with whom? With China? Interesting.” However, Zelensky made clear that Kyiv would not allow disagreements over the negotiating format to delay the peace process. He also stressed Europe’s role in Ukraine’s eventual reconstruction. Netherlands pledges more air-defense support Zelensky’s visit to The Hague also focused on Ukraine’s preparations for another winter of Russian attacks. The Netherlands announced €500 million in military assistance and €1.2 billion in non-military support over three years, including assistance for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, healthcare and humanitarian needs. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said the Netherlands was reaching out to partners inside and outside NATO to secure additional air-defense interceptors for Ukraine while working to increase missile production. “Any rocket, even in smaller numbers, is useful today to protect Ukrainians,” Jetten said.